What is Adriana's Law? How NJ township's new bill named after Adriana Kuch, 14, could make schools safer
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
BAYVILLE, NEW JERSEY: A new law, 'Adriana Law', was introduced as a resolution to deal with the spreading of video of a minor student's assault after Adriana Kuch's death. The law emphasizes strict legal consequences for anyone who films an assault on a minor. It also focuses on the people who share said videos, whether via text or social media.
Mayor Carmen Amato introduced the resolution in the Berkeley Township Council meeting. This was the first meeting after the suicide of the 14-year-old girl. The law was suggested to Amato by one of the advocates of the law, Amanda Scheuermann.
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What is Adriana's Law?
The law will solely focus on aspects of sharing the videos of minors' assaults on social media or text. Amato, who introduced the resolution, said, "We must do everything we can to prevent this from happening again in the future. We never want it to happen again, Not only in our town. We never want it to happen again, period."
Council President John Bacchione said, "In a perfect world, the school would be a safe place for our children to learn, grow and be themselves; unfortunately, our world is far from perfect. And the school is not always a safe haven for our youth. We demand they do more. Our children deserve more." Copies of the resolution will be sent to Governor Phil Murphy, Rep. Chris Smith, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and members of the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 30th Legislative Districts.
The resolution also comments that the current laws in New Jersey are not doing enough to eliminate students harassment, intimidation, and bullying in schools, as per Patch.
What happened to Adriana Kuch?
Adriana Adrianna died by suicide on February 3, two days after her bullies viciously attacked her as she walked with her boyfriend in the school hallway. Later, New Jersey county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer confirmed that the four New Jersey high school students would escape facing adult court. In the disturbing video, the four students were seen hitting Kuch with a water bottle while she was walking with her boyfriend. The four children then went on to kick and punch her as she curled up helplessly in a fetal position on the floor of the school corridor. In this case, one student has been charged with aggravated assault while two others were each facing conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charge. A juvenile has faced charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault on top of a previously filed charge of harassment, as per New York Post.